[Posted to am on 4/2/03. -- TR]

The cold repeatedly kicked at the heater's thermostat through
insulated walls, closed thermal pane windows, and foam-sealed
doors. It was proving to be a miserable day by PRC's[1] published
EWS (Extreme Weather Standards)[2].

I tramped down the hallway towards Daughter-unit Alpha's room. The
sun was up, the clock beamed 0645; daylight was burning. I heard
the blankets rustle. Ah. A ruse. I peaked slyly in from a section
of the doorframe. I saw the covers move. "Time to get up."

The wiggling worm underneath froze in place, not even breathing.

"I can stand here until you need to breath again..." I prompted.

There was a muffled giggle. "It's COLD! Go! Away..."

"Doesn't work that way, hon. Get up voluntarily or you'll be
making your bed from the floor. I'll see you in ten."

"I! WON'T!" I heard as I turned to go.

"Your choice..." I let hang.

I walked on down to Spawn's room. Butt high in the air, on top of
all her blankets, she snuffled with a spotlight from the sunrise
highlighting her face. I sighed. Too asleep. I'd come back to this
one. I moved next door to Daughter-unit Beta's room. Bleary eyed,
swaying back and forth, she looked like someone'd stuck her
fingers in an outlet with her long blood hair frazzled and filled
with static.

"Time to get up. You got school and meds to take. Come on..." I
turned to walk back to Spawn's room.

She'd flopped ends and was now at the opposite end of her bed, out
of the direct beam of sunlight that was streaming through the
broken slats of her shades. "Alright. Move it, kiddo. You're awake
and need to get ready, too."

"No," she mumbled. "Don' wanna."

"Six minutes. You'll be ready or I'll pick your clothes." Our
latest morning ritual was off to a roaring start.

I went back down to D-uA's room. I could hear her tying her shoes.
"All done?" I asked from the hall.

"Yes! [D-uB] had /my/ socks! You /gave/ her my belt!"

"Did you get them back?" I interrupted.

There was a pause. "Yes?"

"Then /why/ are you making a federal issue of this?"

"Because..."

"Think about your answer before you speak..."

Another pause ensued. "And remember that Dad doesn't do yelling,"
I smiled as I looked in. She was watching the doorway, a crooked
smile lighting up her face. "Thought you /might've/ remembered
that... with a little help. Get your books, homework and get some
cereal."

"Don't wan' cereal today."

"Well... You do know where the other foods are, right? Fix
yourself whatever you want."

"Waffles?"

"Fine."

"[Beta]! We can have waffles!" There was a rush of activity and I
moved back down to the other two rooms. I was not amused to find
both back under the covers.

"Excuse me? Didn't I say 'Get outa bed. Now.' not three minutes
ago?"

"Go AWAY!" echoed from under the covers in Spawn's room.

I moved toward Spawn's bed. A quick yank of the covers and one
nudy-patuty was revealed. "What're ya doin' this way? Get dress!"

"It's COLD!"

"Well??" I laughed, "put on some WARM clothing. You have more than
your fair share. Now. Or I'll pick 'em. And make your bed, too."

I moved over to D-uB's room. "Get up and outta bed now..." I
started. There was no sound. The form under the bed was balled
tight. I sat down and gently peeled the blankets back. "Let's see
your hands..."

"They HURT!" she sobbed.

"Feet? Knees?"

"I can't move them without hurting!"

I pinched my lips closed. "Is this the worst they've hurt in a
long time?"

She nodded quickly.

"Can you swing your feet over so we can soak them?"

She shook her head negatively.

"I'm going to start a bath for you. You don't have a choice.
Mommy's going to sit by you. You're going to take one, so stop
shaking your head. I'm going to go get her now. Cover back up."

"[Beta] no go to school today?" I was asked as I walked out and
headed downstairs.

"Probably not."

"Oh..."

I got downstairs and told SWMBO[3] about the problem. She was
rushing about but changed gears quickly. "Have you started the
bath yet?"

"On my way."

"I'll get her there."

I jumped the steps two at a time on my way back upstairs towards
the girls' bathroom. I'd reached the top of the stairs when I
heard, "Leave me alone!"

"You kick me!"

"Leave... <GASP>" followed by a primordial scream.

"What the... What're you doing?" I roared as I entered the bedroom
to find Spawn holding Beta's big toe and twisting it.

"She kick me," she repeated, as if that was simple enough
explanation.

"Let go. Now. Don't..." and with a final twist, she did.

The Ranger

[1] People (DemoKratic) Republic of Californi[cated]a
[2] The EWS are temperatures below 68°F and above 75°F. It's a
marketing piece that keeps potential residents flooding into our
glorious state.
[3] She Who Must Be Obeyed; Rumpole reference.

In article >,
"The Ranger" > wrote:

> I moved over to D-uB's room. "Get up and outta bed now..." I
> started. There was no sound. The form under the bed was balled
> tight. I sat down and gently peeled the blankets back. "Let's see
> your hands..."
>
> "They HURT!" she sobbed.
>
> "Feet? Knees?"
>
> "I can't move them without hurting!"
>
> I pinched my lips closed. "Is this the worst they've hurt in a
> long time?"
>
> She nodded quickly.
>
> "Can you swing your feet over so we can soak them?"
>
> She shook her head negatively.
>
> "I'm going to start a bath for you. You don't have a choice.
> Mommy's going to sit by you. You're going to take one, so stop
> shaking your head. I'm going to go get her now. Cover back up."
>
> "[Beta] no go to school today?" I was asked as I walked out and
> headed downstairs.
>
> "Probably not."

You sound like a really cool dad... but what's up with Daughter Unit B's
joints? :-o
--
Peace, Om

Remove _ to validate e-mails.

"My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack Nicholson